Bob Swaim

1
ABX Air Ground Fire

• Bob Swaim
• Airworthiness

2
Conductivity of Oxygen Hoses

• In mid-1990s, Boeing received leakage reports
• Electrical current heated internal spring

• PVC hose material melted

• Production change and service bulletins issued in
  1999

3
Airworthiness Directive (AD) Process

• FAA reviewed Boeings Service Bulletin (SB) but
  did not issue ADs
• Issuance of AD mandates compliance with SB

• FAA now mandating SB compliance
• Expected to cite specific Boeing cockpit use of
  part numbers
• Would not cite same parts used in non-cockpit
  installations or address hose manufacturers
  other customers

4
Airworthiness Directive Process

• AD types aircraft, engine, propeller, or
  appliances
• Appliances are not unique to one airplane design
• Appliance ADs address individual parts and
  assemblies
• FAA to coordinate with makers of vended parts
• Part makers to provide FAA with list of customers
  using similar parts
• FAA to check for additional applications using
  part

5
Proximity of Oxygen Components to WiresProper
Installation
Clamps
Ceiling panel
Oxygen supply tube
Wire
6
Proximity of Oxygen Components to WiresImproper
Installation
Wires touch oxygen supply tube
Ceiling panel
7
Proximity of Oxygen Components to Wires

• Inadvertent wire contact found previously
• Wires contacted critical oxygen tubing
• Continuing problem

• Conductive oxygen tubing needs protection
• Physical isolation
• Nonconductive sleeving
• Nonconductive coating

8
Electrical Grounding of Oxygen System
Stainless steel supply tube in rubber-lined clamps
9
Aging Oxygen Hoses

• Potential for cracks and oxygen leaks
• Older hoses not as flexible as new hoses
• PVC can harden with exposure to light and some
  chemicals
• Inspection requirements
• Periodic system leakage and general visual
  inspections
• No tests or inspections for material properties
• Operators could install older hoses into newly
  delivered airplanes

10
Passenger Service Unit Reading Lights
11
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